Incomplete question. I assumed information about literal meanings and figurative meanings would make the question clear.
<u>Explanation:</u>
An important difference between literal and figurative meaning is in the way words are understood.
Literal meanings as used in literary works involve understanding words exactly how they are generally understood or denotation. For example, saying 'I need a book' would be understood literally. However, saying 'He is a shining star' would be understood for its Figurative meanings, which means 'he is admirable or successful'.
Irish monasteries became famous for their learning and many students came to study in them from other parts of Europe. Irish monks also spread Christianity across Europe.
Some Americans thought that making California a part of the US would strengthen the security of the nation because there was going to be fewer war threats by adding more territory.
Explanation
They believed that it would protect them more from war threats because California provided a coastline to protect the country, which added more territory. Having the control of it, they could build a defense against other countries who would want to invade from the west side.
In addition, California's natural resources such as silver, gold, and fertile soil were very important for the nation, which was in a growing process.
In the novel Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, water is a symbol that moves and ends all other symbols. Water through the rain affects the yields of the rice, also, it can come in the form of monsoon to come unexpectedly and also to go, and never can say with certainty when the rain will come and go on a daily basis. Water as a symbol fits perfectly into the type of Hindu religion, which has cyclicality, a circular flow between life and death. The water is present when Nathan dies, the rain that floods the flames on the temple, reminds that no force can resist inevitable death. Also, water is compared with a woman, if nature is dry, it is like a infertile woman, if too immoral is used, then nature is too "mature", so water must be used moderately, or there are dangerous consequences. The relationship between woman and water is also given through the river, it gives life in a moderate form, because the fields are more fertile and have a high yield, but also take life in unhealthy spills and floods. So water can mean an ascent or a fall if it is not used moderately, too much or too little use is not good. Thus, water symbolizes fertility or infertility, life or death, just as the point of the Hindu religion is the circulation of life and death.